Tectonic plates are the large, flat pieces of Earth’s lithosphere that make up the planet’s surface. The Earth’s lithosphere is divided into several large tectonic plates that move around on the planet’s surface. Earthquakes happen when two plates collide. Plate tectonics is the scientific study of how these plates move and interact with each other.
The Earth’s lithosphere is divided into several large tectonic plates that move around on the planet’s surface. These plates are constantly moving and shifting, sometimes colliding with each other. Earthquakes happen when two plates collide. Plate tectonics is the scientific study of how these plates move and interact with each other.
There are three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent, and transform. Divergent boundaries occur when two plates pull away from each other. This can happen when molten rock rises up to the surface and forms new crust at mid-ocean ridges. Convergent boundaries occur when twoplates push together. This happens when one plate slides under another or when they both grind to a halt against each other. Transform boundaries occur when twoplates slide past each other horizontally without creating or destroying any crust.